Palm Springs Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Palm Springs, California - CA, USA)

Palm Springs boasts some quality natural and manmade tourist attractions. It is no wonder that so many of the rich and famous are attracted to the lush desert metropolis that is Palm Springs.

Overlooking the Palm Springs area are 8,000-foot / 2,440-meter plus mountains that feature some major tourist attractions. These include attractive ski fields and the world's largest rotating tramcar, while the awesome Joshua Tree National Park is also nearby.

Aerial Tramway

Address: Tramway Road, Palm Springs, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 760 325 1391
Palm Springs' Aerial Tramway is the best option for obtaining views over the area and for access to the ski fields. The Aerial Tramway is the world's largest rotating tramcar, with a two-stage system that whisks visitors to 8,516 feet / 2,595 meters above sea level in a matter of minutes.


This tramway is a year-round attraction in the Palm Springs area, with camping and picnicking available in the summer and cross-country skiing and snow tubing popular in the winter. The Tram Restaurant provides sustenance and awesome views of the desert below.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 21:45, Saturday and Sunday - 08:00 to 21:45
Admission: charge

Indian Canyons

Address: 38-500 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 800 790 3398
The Indian Canyons reveal Palm Springs' cultural side, as they were once the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente people. Three canyons are featured in the area, including Palm Canyon, with its Washingtonia; the stark Andreas Canyon, with its palms; and Murray Canyon, where bighorn sheep roam. Attractions of any tour around Palm Springs' Indian Canyons are the rock art and remains of their ancient way of life, such as house pits, irrigation ditches, and stone houses and shelters. Palm Canyon also boasts a trading post with refreshments and Native American art works. You can also hike to Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon with ranger guides.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Joshua Tree National Park

Address: 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, California CA, USA
Tel: +1 760 367 5500
Visitors to Palm Springs also have the option of seeing the spectacular Joshua Tree National Park, which is nearby. This area is ideal for hikers and rock climbers owing to the stark landscape and lofty elevations, and is within easy reach of central Palm Springs. There is an abundance of plant and animal life in the park, including the curious Joshua trees themselves (actually shrubs), white yucca, and cholla cactus, and desert pack rats and coyotes. There are no services in the park, but you will find the Oasis Visitor Center offers refreshments and information.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Address: 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, California CA, 92260, USA
Tel: +1 760 346 5694
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is one of Palm Springs highlights and comes with all manner of exotic animals, from a number of habitats in various parts of the world. Major attractions at Palm Springs' zoo include coyotes, wolves, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, golden eagles, giraffes, and lots of African animals in the African Wa TuTu village. The zoo also features numerous scenic trails spread across desert land with plant life from deserts of the region. Children also have the Gecko Gulch Children's Play Land, with its tunnels and sculptures, while wildlife shows can be had at the Tennity Amphitheater. In addition, an educational exhibit shows the San Andreas Fault across the Coachella Valley.
Open hours: daily, October to May - 09:00 to 17:00; June to September - 08:00 to 13:30
Admission: charge, discounts for children and seniors, children under three free